NFL.com analyst Gil Brandt knows a thing or two about evaluating college talent, and so something he said during his weekly live chat Tuesday should stir things up with NFL draftniks out there.

While the Heisman Trophy campaign for Auburn QB Cam Newton is heating up, it brought up the inevitable question: How does Newton stack up as an NFL prospect?

Keep in mind that Brandt was a firm believer last April that all-purpose QB Tim Tebow was worthy of a first-round draft pick. Well, he likes Newton even more.

“I think the Auburn QB might be the most exciting football player I’ve seen on the college level — EVER,” Brandt said. “Thanks to his running and passing ability, I’d say Auburn has a very good shot at the national championship despite having to end the regular season at Alabama.”

Through eight games, Newton has 13 TD passes and 14 TD runs, and he’s turned in countless highlight-reel plays. As a fourth-year junior, he would be eligible to enter the 2011 NFL Draft, though he could opt to remain in school.

If he does opt for the former, Brandt sees plenty of interest from NFL clubs.

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